Labeling machine with label on-rolling device

ABSTRACT

A label on-rolling apparatus for a labeling machine includes a battery or succession of pairs of spaced soft, spongy and resilient rollers, with the rollers in each pair located on opposite margins of the conveyor and separated by a gap which defines a feed path. The rollers in each pair rotate in opposite directions and at different speeds, and the adjacent rollers along the same margin also rotate at different speeds. The speed differential between the rollers in each pair and the speed differential between adjacent rollers on each margin causes sequential counter rotation or rotary oscillation of containers as they move along the feed path through the adjacent pairs of rollers, causing firm pressure to be applied to the surface of the label to firmly affix the label to the container. A modified embodiment of the invention includes one longitudinal row of rollers located along one margin of the conveyor with adjacent rollers in the row rotating at different speeds, and an endless belt having a run located over the opposite margin of the conveyor and driven in a direction common with the conveyor and at a different speed than some of the rollers.

[4 1 Apr. 25, 1972 LABELING MACHINE WITH LABEL ON-ROLLING DEVICElnventor: Kurt Stauber, Barbing, Germany Hermann Kronseder,Neutraubling, Germany Filed: Nov. 4, 1969 Appl. No.: 873,832

Assignee:

Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 8, 1968 Germany ..P 18 07 753References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 6/1931 Oslund ..156/493 XRapparlie et al..

Stevens .1 1 56/453 Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt AssistantExaminer-.1. M. Hanley Attorney-Wheeler, House & Wheeler 57] ABSTRACT Alabel on-rolling apparatus for a labeling machine includes a battery orsuccession of pairs of spaced soft, spongy and resilient rollers, withthe rollers in each pair located on opposite margins of the conveyor andseparated by a gap which defines a feed path. The rollers in each pairrotate in opposite directions and at different speeds, and the adjacentrollers along the same margin also rotate at different speeds. The speeddifferential between the rollers in each pair and the speed differentialbetween adjacent rollers on each margin causes sequential counterrotation or rotary oscillation of containers as they move along the feedpath through the adjacent pairs of rollers, causing firm pressure to beapplied to the surface of the label to firmly affix the label to thecontainer. A modified embodiment of the invention includes onelongitudinal row of rollers located along one margin of the conveyorwith adjacent rollers in the row rotating at different speeds, and anendless belt having a run located over the opposite margin of theconveyor and driven in a direction common with the conveyor and at adifferent speed than some of the rollers.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented April 25, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet lFig.2

INVEN-TOR 7 20! 5/424667 By WM. 10% W ATTORNEY Patented April 25, 1972 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY LABELING MACHINE WITH LABEL ON-ROLLING DEVICEBACKGROUND OF INVENTION- Prior art label on-rolling apparatus includes aconveyor with two spaced endless belts covered with sponge rubber andhaving adjacently located runs driven in the same direction and atdifferent speeds to cause rotation of the container as it travelsbetween the runs. Another form of on-rolling station includes one spongerubber covered endless belt and a fixed sponge rubber surface spacedfrom the endless belt. Inasmuch as the container moving throughon-rolling stations of the foregoing arrangements rotates continuouslyin one direction, the labels commonly creep, shift or ride upwardly ordownwardly on the container. Furthermore, the sponge rubber surface onthe belts is continuously stretched as it travels around the bends inthe conveyor and tends to loosen from the belt, resulting inconsiderable lost time in replacing the belts.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides on-rolling apparatus whicheliminates and minimizes the difficulties with the prior art apparatusby providing on-rolling apparatus in the form of a battery or successionof pairs of oppositely located soft, spongy resilient rollers, with therollers in the pairs located along the opposite margins of a conveyorwhich carries the containers from the label turret. The rollers in eachpair are separated by a gap which defines a feed path for the containerscarried by the conveyor. The adjacent surfaces of the rollers in eachpair rotate in a direction common to the direction of the conveyor. Therollers in each pair rotate in different directions and at differentspeeds. The adjacent rollers along each margin rotate at differentspeeds and in the same direction. The pairs of rollers imparttranslatory motion to the containers as they move between the pairs, andthe speed differential between rollers in each pair causes the containerto rotate in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of thehigher speed roller in each pair. The differential speed between theadjacent rollers on each margin causes sequential counter rotation orrotary oscillation of the containers as they move between the successivepairs of rollers.

The sequential counter rotation of the containers minimizes any tendencyof labels to creep or progressively shift or displace on the containersas with the prior art on-rolling apparatus. The use of spongy rubberrollers also minimizes the crumbling or fragmentation of the rubber fromthe rollers, which occurs with the use of foam covered endless belts.

A modified embodiment of the invention utilizes one longitudinal row ofsoft, spongy resilient rubber rollers along one margin of a conveyorwith the adjacent rollers in the row rotating at different speeds. Anendless belt having a run located along the opposite margin of theconveyor is driven in a direction common with the direction of theconveyor, and at a speed different than some of the rollers. Aswith thefirst embodiment, the differential speed between adjacent rollers causessequential or successive counter rotation of the containers to firmlyapply the labels and minimize shifting of the labels.

The on-rolling apparatus of the invention provides troublefreeperformance and improved appearance of the labels on the containers.Extremely long labels are also easily applied with this apparatus.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following disclosure.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the labelrolling apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic partially broken away side elevational view ofa further embodiment of the label pressing apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the disclosure hereof is detailedand exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention,the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify theinvention, which may be embodied in other specific structures.

In the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conveyor 3 which carriescontainers from the label application station (not shown). In accordancewith the invention, means are provided associated with the conveyor 3and engageable with the surface of the containers carried by theconveyor to afford translatory movement of the containers along theconveyor and rotary oscillation of the container or sequential counterrotation of the container to firmly press the glued labels against thesur face of the container.

In the construction disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the means associatedwith the conveyor 3 includes a battery 30 of soft spongy, resilientrollers l which are arranged in four pairs of oppositely locatedrollers. Rollers A and E form a pair 31; rollers B and F form a pair 33;rollers C and G form a pair 35, and rollers H and D form a pair 37. Therollers A, F C and H form a longitudinal row 36, and the rollers E, B, Gand D form a longitudinal row 38. The row 36 overlaps the margin 39 ofthe conveyor 3, and the row 38 overlaps the margin 41 of the conveyor 3.The rollers in each pair are spaced by gaps 40 to provide a feed pathfor the containers carried by conveyor 3.

Means are provided for rotating the rollers 1 in each row 36 and 38 atdifferent speeds with respect to each adjacent roller in the row. Asdisclosed, the rollers in row 38 are driven by a motor 42, which isconnected to a drive wheel 7 on shaft 2, which drives a sprocket wheel4.

The sprocket wheel 4 is connected to sprockets 5, 4 and 5 on rollers B,G and D by a chain or belt 6. The sprockets 4 have a greater pitchdiameter than the sprockets 5. Thus, the rollers E and G rotate at afirst rate of rotation, and the rollers B and D rotate at a second rateof rotation greater than the first rate of rotation. Similarly, therollers A and C and F and H are connected to a motor (not shown) so thatthe rollers F and H rotate at a first rate of rotation and the rollers Aand C rotate at a second rate of rotation greater than the first speed.

The opposed rollers in each pair have differing speeds, thus roller Ehas a speed less than roller A, and roller B has a higher speed thanroller F, etc.

Because of the speed differential between the opposite rollers in eachpair, a container will be rotating clockwise as it passes between thepair 31. As the container passes between the roller 33 pair, it will berotated counterclockwise. In like manner, as the container passesbetween the roller pair 35 it will again be rotated clockwise, and as itpasses between roller pair 37 it will again be rotated counterclockwise.The sequential counter rotation or rotary oscillation of the containerensures that intense pressure will be applied to all portions of thelabel to firmly affix the label to the container, and also minimizes anytendency of the label to shift or ride up or down the container.

Means are also provided for laterally adjusting the rows of rollers withrespect to the centerline of the conveyor to vary the spacing or gap 40between the rollers to accommodate various sized containers. Asdisclosed, the means includes roller supports 50 and 52 which carry therollers and transversely extending slots 54 and locking levers 8 whichsecure the supports 50 and 52 to a frame 53 (FIG. 1).

FIGS. 3 and 4 disclose a further embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, the means associated with the conveyor 32 and engageablewith the surface of the containers to afford translatory movement of thecontainers along the conveyor and rotary oscillation of containerscomprises a row of rollers l designated E, B, G and D, with the rollersE and G rotating at a first rate of rotation and rollers B and Drotating at a second rate of rotation greater than the first rate ofrotation. The means also includes one or more endless belts 12 having arun 60 travelling in the direction of movement of the conveyor 3 andspaced from the periphery of the rollers E, B, G and D by a gap 61. Theendless belts 12 travel at a constant speed and are driven by a motor(not shown) which is connected to a driving wheel 7 on shaft 2 by a beltor chain 64. The rollers E, B, G and D are driven by a motor 65 which isconnected to the drive sprocket or wheel 7 by a chain or belt 66. Theshafts 2 of the rollers are connected by sprockets 4 and 5 and anendless chain 6. The sprockets 4 and 5 have different pitch diameters toprovide a speed differential between adjacent rollers.

The run 60 is maintained in substantially the same plane by a series ofidler rollers 9 so that firm pressure can be applied to a container. a

As the container travels along the conveyor 3, the greater peripheralspeed of the run 60 as compared with roller E will cause the containerto rotate clockwise. As the container passes between the run 60 androller B, the greater peripheral speed of the roller B will cause thecontainer to rotate count'erclockwise. When the container is between theroller G and the run 60, it will again rotate clockwise.

The soft, spongy rollers 1 in both embodiments of the invention providetrouble-free operation and firmly and smoothly apply'labels to thecontainers.

What is claimed is:

1. In a labeling machine including a label on-rolling station, aconveyor for transporting containers through the station, the

v improvement comprising means associated with said conveyor andengageable with containers carried by said conveyor for affordingtranslatory movement and rotary oscillation of the containers as theymove along said conveyor, and for applying pressure to the labels as thecontainers oscillate to firmly affix the labels to the containers, saidmeans comprising a battery of spaced pairs of oppositely located rollersalong the margins of said conveyor with each roller in each of saidpairs rotating at different rates of rotation and in differentdirections of rotation, and with the adjacent rollers on the samemargins of the conveyor successively rotating at alternately higher andlower rates of rotation to provide sequential counter rotation ofcontainers carried by said conveyor as they move between and aresuccessively engaged by said pairs of rollers.

2. The invention of claim 1 including means for supporting the rollersalong each margin of said conveyor to afford lateral movement of rollerstransversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor to affordadjustment of the spacing between the pairs of rollers to accommodatedifferent sized containers.

3'. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rollers are soft andresilient.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein one roller in each pair operates ata first rate of rotation and the other roller in each pair rotates at asecond rate of rotation greater than said first rate of rotation, andthe adjacent rollers along each margin of said conveyor alternativelyoperate at said first and second rates of rotation.

5. In a labeling machine including a label on-rolling station, aconveyor for transporting containers through the station, theimprovement comprising means associated with said conveyor andengageable with containers carried by said conveyor for affordingtranlatory movement and rotary oscillation of the containers as theymove along said conveyor, and for applying pressure to the labels as thecontainers oscillate to firmly affix the labels to the containers, saidmeans comprising an endless belt having a run moving in a directioncommon with the direction of said conveyor and located along one marginof said conveyor, and a longitudinal row of rollers located along theopposite margin of said conveyor with adjacently located rollers in therow successively rotating at alternately higher and lower rates ofrotation to afford sequential counter rotation of the containers as theymove between and are engaged by successive rollers and said run of saidendless belt.

6. A I labeling machine including a conveyor, first and second rollerslocated along one margin of saidvconveyor, a third roller locatedopposite said first roller and a fourth roller located opposite saidsecond roller, and said third and fourth rollers being located along theopposite margin of said conveyor, said first and second rollers beingspaced from said third and fourth rollers, and means for rotating saidrollers so that said first and second rollers rotate in a directioncounter to the direction of rotation of said third and fourth rollers,and for rotating said first roller at a rate of rotation greater thanthe rate of rotation of said second and third rollers, and for rotatingsaid fourth roller at a rate of rotation greater than the rate ofrotation of said second and third rollers, so that a container movingbetween said first and third rollers is rotated in a direction counterto the direction of rotation imparted by said first and third rollers asit moves between said second and fourth rollers, whereby the labels onsaid containers are firmly pressed against said containers.

7. A labeling machine including a conveyor, a row of soft, spongyrollers located along one margin of said conveyor, adjacent rollers insaid row successively rotating at alternately higher and lower speeds,an endless belt having a run located along the opposite margin of saidconveyor and spaced from said rollers to provide a gap which defines acontainer feed path, said run of said belt and said rollers cooperatingto move containers along said feed path and sequentially counter rotatesaid containers as the containers pass between the adjacent rollers andsaid endless belt so that the rollers can firmly press the labels ontothe containers.

1. In a labeling machine including a label on-rolling station, aconveyor for transporting containers through the station, theimprovement comprising means associated with said conveyor andengageable with containers carried by said conveyor for affordingtranslatory movement and rotary oscillation of the containers as theymove along said conveyor, and for applying pressure to the labels as thecontainers oscillate to firmly affix the labels to the containers, saidmeans comprising a battery of spaced pairs of oppositely located rollersalong the margins of said conveyor with each roller in each of saidpairs rotating at different rates of rotation and in differentdirections of rotation, and with the adjacent rollers on the samemargins of the conveyor successively rotating at alternately higher andlower rates of rotation to proVide sequential counter rotation ofcontainers carried by said conveyor as they move between and aresuccessively engaged by said pairs of rollers.
 2. The invention of claim1 including means for supporting the rollers along each margin of saidconveyor to afford lateral movement of rollers transversely to thedirection of movement of the conveyor to afford adjustment of thespacing between the pairs of rollers to accommodate different sizedcontainers.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said rollers are softand resilient.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein one roller in eachpair operates at a first rate of rotation and the other roller in eachpair rotates at a second rate of rotation greater than said first rateof rotation, and the adjacent rollers along each margin of said conveyoralternatively operate at said first and second rates of rotation.
 5. Ina labeling machine including a label on-rolling station, a conveyor fortransporting containers through the station, the improvement comprisingmeans associated with said conveyor and engageable with containerscarried by said conveyor for affording tranlatory movement and rotaryoscillation of the containers as they move along said conveyor, and forapplying pressure to the labels as the containers oscillate to firmlyaffix the labels to the containers, said means comprising an endlessbelt having a run moving in a direction common with the direction ofsaid conveyor and located along one margin of said conveyor, and alongitudinal row of rollers located along the opposite margin of saidconveyor with adjacently located rollers in the row successivelyrotating at alternately higher and lower rates of rotation to affordsequential counter rotation of the containers as they move between andare engaged by successive rollers and said run of said endless belt. 6.A labeling machine including a conveyor, first and second rollerslocated along one margin of said conveyor, a third roller locatedopposite said first roller and a fourth roller located opposite saidsecond roller, and said third and fourth rollers being located along theopposite margin of said conveyor, said first and second rollers beingspaced from said third and fourth rollers, and means for rotating saidrollers so that said first and second rollers rotate in a directioncounter to the direction of rotation of said third and fourth rollers,and for rotating said first roller at a rate of rotation greater thanthe rate of rotation of said second and third rollers, and for rotatingsaid fourth roller at a rate of rotation greater than the rate ofrotation of said second and third rollers, so that a container movingbetween said first and third rollers is rotated in a direction counterto the direction of rotation imparted by said first and third rollers asit moves between said second and fourth rollers, whereby the labels onsaid containers are firmly pressed against said containers.
 7. Alabeling machine including a conveyor, a row of soft, spongy rollerslocated along one margin of said conveyor, adjacent rollers in said rowsuccessively rotating at alternately higher and lower speeds, an endlessbelt having a run located along the opposite margin of said conveyor andspaced from said rollers to provide a gap which defines a container feedpath, said run of said belt and said rollers cooperating to movecontainers along said feed path and sequentially counter rotate saidcontainers as the containers pass between the adjacent rollers and saidendless belt so that the rollers can firmly press the labels onto thecontainers.